Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-08-04
PLANNING AN ESCAPE.
PLOT OF LIBBY PRISONS INMATES
TO CAPTURE RICHMOND.

Help from a Brave Union Woman-CO-
Operation from Washington - The
Plans Well Laid-How the Scheme
Was Defeated at Last.
We opened correspondence with the notori-
Gus Abbey Green, a brave Uni1n woman
living in the city, noted for her outspoken
patriotism and the bravery with which she
approached the columns of Federal prisoners,
where, despite the bayonets of the guards,
she gave what relief she could, often tossing
loayes of bread to them at the peril Of life.
The noble woman gave relief and cheering
words to thousands, and bravely staid in
Richmond, known to and feared by the re-
bels, whom she defied- If there was plot to
execute. she was the one TO cooperate. So
we opened correspondence with her through
a faithful colored boy on menial duty at the
prison. We carefully stated our desires, and
in return received plan of the city and 10
cation of the arsenal, correct statement of
the number of troops in the city, the strength
of the home guard and all other information
needed.
After the plans were matured all prisoners
willing to cooperate were formed into bat
talions and companies, and drilled as care
fully and frequently as possible. Everything
that could be was converted into weapon,
and several pistols and bowie knives had been
received among the contents of the boxes first
delivered to Us before an examination was
required, and these we had kept well con-
cealed, and they would help greatly in our
strike for freedom A few weapons in the
hands of desperate leaders would do bloody
work.
In order to make our plot success, it was
deemed nece ,saIy TO inform the government
at Washington. and get, if possible, its aid.
A fine opportunity of doing tdis occurred
when the surgeons were released. State
ments Of our plans were written on very fine
paper, and this folded up tightly was con-
cealed in the staff buttons of their uniforms,
which were constructed so that the heads of
the buttons could be removed, showing quite
a space capable of holding large piece Of
fine paper The button heads on being re-
placed gave no evidence of the valuable de-
posits beneath Thus we succeeded in in
forming Mr. Lincoln and the secretary Of
war of our intentions.
4 cabinet meeting decided the plans so
submitted perfectly feasible and preparations
were at once made to aid US, and an officer
was sent down to the peninsula to draw the
Confederate forces all out of the city to re-
pei him in his supposed attempt to enter
Richmond. lie did so, and we saw from the
windows of Libby the Confederates march
by to meet him. There were left only about
800 home guards. Our plan was to assemble
on certain evening in the lower middle
room, burst open the front doors, seize the
guards in front, disarm them, and with the
arms so gained intimidate and take prison
ers the officials of Libby, then march to the
arsenal, fighting the home guard if encoun-
tered on the way, and, with the arms in the
arsenal, we would march to Belle Isle, and,
arming the prisoners there, march back, an
army of 5000 strong. We could then easily
have taken possession of and held Richmond
against any force until Gen. Butler, march
ing up, would have REINFORCED US, and the
city would have been ours.
Our plans, as we supposed, were well laid,
and everything in regard to their successful
completion progressed as favorably as we
could desire up to the very evening of the
night on which we determined to make our
exit. From the windows we observed, about
o'clock p M, ajackass battery" as it was
derisively styled, being located in front of
Libby, and greatly increased guard put on
duty, while company of the home guards
stood in front.
Presently Maj. Turner, with squad, as
cended the stairs, and in loud tone an
nounced the order that all prisoners were to
descend to the lower middle room. Not
dreaming of the trap about to be sprung on
US, and thinking there was to be an inspec-
ton of some kind, we obeyed the order with
out reluctance, there being no necessity for
guards to enforce it with the points of their
bayonets, as they seemed inclined to do at
the least hesitancy to march forward quickly.
When all were below guards were stationed
at the head of the stairs. and we were told it
would be perilous to attempt to come up until
ordered to do so.
Hour succeeded hour, and darkness set in;
still we received no intimation of release, and
at last the truth began to dawn upon our be-
wildered understandings. We were pris-
oners in a twofold sense in Libby, and under
close surveillance, in one of the rooms.
What did it mean? Had some one turned
traitor and disclosed our plot? If such a
one had been known he would have been
thrown a corpse from the windows
or torn to pieces, but we could not fully re-
alize that such had been the case. Our plan
was nipped, but we could try it again. We
We're kept in the room described several
hours and then released and permitted to Oc-
cupy our accustomed places, but we found
our rooms had been thoroughly ransacked
and everything in the shape of a weapon
taken. Evidently our plot had been disclosed
and frustrated. Our privileges were fewer
afterwards, and closer watch was had over
our actions. The outside guards were in
creased, and SO much vigilance manifested
that we concluded not to make our attempt
for time at least.
The manner in which the prison officials
were made cognizant Of our plans was for a
long time mystery. The generally accepted
solution of the problem was that some one of
our number had sold US out. / never knew
the true cause until after the war. met one
day in Washington city Capt. jackson War
ner, described before as the quartermaster
who furnished US beef and bread. 1 asked
Capt. Warner the question. He said he re-
membered he occasion well and what excite
ment it caused. When spy, who had for a
long time been among US, dressed in similar
uniform, to report our sayings and doings
daily or weekly, as was deemed fit, an
nounced that we had formed a plan to escape,
he was instructed to watch closely and re-
port progress which he could easily do, for
we talked and planned without secrecy. Like
a cat playing with the mouse, they played
with US, and when tired, and just at the
proper time, came down in force.-Dr. John
Henry, Fifth Ohio cavalry.